Thursday, August 14, 2008

A Rebuttal From Some Frontrunners

Jimmy Rollins:"I might catch some flack for saying this, but, you know, they're front-runners. When you're doing good, they're on your side. When you're doing bad, they're completely against you...St. Louis, it seems like they support their team, they're out there and encouraging. In Philly, can't be no punk."

Corey's Response:First off, never begin a sentence with "I'm not racist but" or "Not to be offensive but" or "I might catch some flack for this," because whatever you say after that is going to be bad. It's either going to be racist, offensive or you're going to catch major flack. And this instance is no exception. So, here comes some flack...

Calling fans of the the losingest professional sports franchise in American history "front-runners" is absolutely ridiculous. Sure, there will be some idiots out there who would agree with J-Roll and say things like, "The stadium wouldn't be sold out if they were losing" as proof that the fans are fairweather. Like I said, these people are idiots because that is how it is in every city. Want proof? The Yankees have led the league in attendance since 2003. But before their first playoff appearance (since 1981, that is) they weren't higher than 5th for any season in the 90's, finishing 11th in the American League in attendance twice. In Boston, there attendance drops 7% in years they don't make the playoffs, even though the team hasn't had a losing season since '97. What about the saints of St. Louis? Well, they've finished no lower than 3rd in the NL in attendance in the last four years, coincidentally while making the playoffs 6 times this decade. Of course, in the 90's when they won 53 and 62 games a season, they were in the bottom half of the NL in attendance. They did show up to watch McGwire hit homers though... And what about J-Roll's hometown Oakland A's, who he said "just don't show up"? He's right, they don't show up when they suck. They are 13th in the AL in attendance this year with total numbers down about 25% from earlier this decade when they were winning 100 games a season and going to the playoffs 4 straight years.

Every fanbase "frontruns" to some extent. The difference is, their team leaders aren't calling them out for it on national television.

It's not news that Philadelphia sports fans celebrate success and bemoan failure with equal passion and fervor, and that the determination of success/failure and the subsequent emotional response can change daily. Hell, it can change mid-game or even mid-boo. [The first time I heard "Boooooo-yeah" was not from Stuart Scott.] But to say the fans are "completely against you" is sensationalistic and just not true. I can see how it could be hard for someone outside of Philadelphia to understand it and how it could be hard for an athlete to handle, especially a young athlete or one new to Philly, but Rollins should know better. Or at least, I hoped he would know better.

I guess these guys do need to have their hands held and smoke blown up their asses. Strikeout records, Mendoza flirtations, not running out grounders, 10,000 losses...it's all good. Right? I guess we should stick our head in the sand, ignore these failures and bottle up our feelings towards the team. Maybe tie some ribbons around a few trees in remembrance of all the great young ballplayers we've ruined with our boos. How about we all just tuck it between our legs and move to St. Louis?

If Rollins really doesn't think the fans are behind him, it's very sad. It's just such a shame that an established Philly player, a fan favorite who has been supported strongly this year in the face of poor play and multiple disciplinary benchings, would go out of his way and take the time to bash his hometown fans. Whether the fans should or shouldn't care what the players think about them is another argument (it is all about the results, after all), but many people who have supported this team through thick and thin, from the '93 team through the Terry Francona years, from Mike Schmidt to JD Drew, will be insulted by these remarks. It will create ill will between the fans and the players and another distraction in a season that is rapidly going downhill. It was completely unnecessary and totally idiotic. Also, what is the deal with "can't be no punk"? If you are going to insult me, J-Roll, at least do it in English you ignorant ass.

And lastly, aren't there enough media and cameras and microphones to make these sort of comments in Philadelphia? Why did he have to go across the country to talk smack on his fans? In terms J-Roll would understand, "That be a punk bitch move, yo."

Carson's Response:Why'd you have to go an say that Jimmy? Even if you're thinking it, you should have thought not to say it. Simply a dumb statement to make. The part about booing when being bad and cheering when doing good is true, and it only makes sense. What do you want, crickets like the Florida Marlin fanbase of 13 after a single or stolen base? Or do you want cheered for not running out a ground ball or popup? How about we applaud you for breaking team rules and then publicly disagreeing with your manager? See, that doesn't make sense Jimmy, and I thought you were smart enough to know that. Every city has fans that boo and cheer their everlovin' asses off, and Philly is no different, and neither is the baseball haven known as St. Louis either. By the way Jimmy, you might want to get Albert Pujols' views on the Cardinal fans, as he's voiced his displeasure with them on two different occasions (one about the booing of Juan Encarnacion and the other on the booing of Jason Isringhausen).

I'm not upset he called us out on national television about our tendency to boo/cheer, because that part is right on the money. The part that pisses me off is the blanket statement about Phillie fans being "frontrunners". I have loved the Phils since I can remember having memories, and for most of those years they were bad. I never booed, oh I wanted to sometimes, but I never booed (not even David Bell); it's just not my style, I'd rather rip a player on the blog. However, I believe every fan as the right to boo. To boo and cheer shows passion, and if there's one thing Phillie fans are not short on, it's passion. Calling all of us front-runners is the mistake. Saying we're front-runners is like calling people from rural areas rednecks. Is it true? Yes, to a certain extent, but certainly not in all cases. Every team has front-runners, but they have the loyal diehards too. Hell, look at the Rays, their attendance is on the rise because they actually have a winning product on the field this season. Must be all front-runners right? Nope, Tampa Bay even has diehards, and it is ridiculous to ignore them and that is just what Rollins did with his comment. He's been welcome with open arms ever since his rookie season, and now after so many years of a great relationship with fans he goes and says something so retarded...just doesn't make sense. How is it front-running if the team has only made it to the playoffs once in the past 14 years? How is it front-running when the franchise has 1 stinking championship to its name? Front-running suggests that the team is actually in the front, which the Phils have not been too often.

Some people are suggesting Rollins wants traded and that's why he said this. Others believe he is unhappy with his contract, or that he's all about money and fame and not winning. I don't agree with any of that. Rollins wants to win, and he's a damn fine player. I have always supported him and I'm honestly still happy he's on my favorite team. However, his comments are unforgettable and will always sit in the corner of my mind when I go to cheer him on for his next triple or outstanding play on defense. Jimmy has been in Philly long enough to know that we can be an unforgiving bunch and to put the limelight on himself like this was just foolish. He's having a down year after an amazing MVP season, but he's still treated like a hero in Philly. That's about to change. You made your bed Jimmy, not it's time to sleep in it.

I hear Jimmy is returning to Best Damn Sports Show Period to explain his comments...should be interesting.

What is it that Rollins wants us to support? Ryan Howard's .235 average and 155 k's? His own .269 average? The fact that they scored only 1 run on 2 hits last nigth? Or got swept by the Dodgers falling out of 1st place? There's nothing to support and cheer Jimmy, you guys have wasted that opportunity!

The Phils are literally falling apart. Brad Lidge's shoulder hurts, Vic is out with a bad back, Dobbs out with a quad injury, Feliz and Seanez DL'd right now. Things just look bad for the Phils right now, really freakin' bad.

Phils are ranked 22nd in baseball in team batting average at .254. Homeruns are nice, but singles are needed too. They're proving to be an "all-or-nothing" team that's coming up bigger on the nothing portion unfortunately.

Never should've clicked that link to Gayroll's new comments.I think this pisses me off more than the original statement.First,I hope I don't hear him say "my job is to play hard and win baseball games" one more time.You all know why, I don't have to explain this.Second, I was one of the people who booed Bruntlett from day one and guess what..I'm still booing because he sucks.I did not jump on some Bruntlett bandwagon. He is an awful batter in long line of one dimensional utility players.Boo to them all!!Also, if Trash Gordon doesn't deserve booing then who the hell does???.....I will now watch Rollins with the same confused enthusiasm I apply to Brett Myers.I want to win the game but if either screws up there will be a satisfied smirk on my face.

Wow!!!Those posters really did make we want to "support the cause"!I tried to find some flaw to exploit for the benefit of my anger...but it was impossible.I printed the Utley one.I will fold it up and keep it in my wallet for tonight's loss...make that tonight's WIN!!!!

So in J-Stroll's eyes the team is affected a negative vibe caused by booing while playing at CBP? Well J-Stroll, lets take the opposite approach, tell me how a lack of, or minimal booing affects this team on the road. Newsflash: THE TEAM SUCKS ON THE ROAD JUST LIKE AT HOME!!

I say Phans cheer the crap outta the Phils the second they step on the field upon their return to Philly. Cheer their asses off the entire game, hit, strikeout, popup, walk, error, cheer everything. That would shock J-Stroll and company. Then we'd get to see if this positive vibe thing Jimmy is longing for has any validity.

I'd also like to ask J-Stroll, is the team booed more at home or on the road, say at Shea? I'd follow that up with, does the booing make you want to shove it down Mut fans throats? If so, why not show the Phils fans that you are better than you have shown thus far? Do something good and they will cheer. Screw up again, and they will boo. Believe it or not, they want you to succeed. It's really pretty simple.

i absolutely love the cheering idea. how ridiculous would it sound if everything (good and bad) was cheered? i'm laughing to myself at just the thought of j-roll leading of the game, popping out to right field, then getting a huge round of applause as he strolls back into the dugout...

The cheering idea is the best thing I've ever heard!!!! That would be Freakin hillarious. I'm just picturing j-stroll striking out with the bases loaded in a key spot in the game immediately followed by a standing ovation and an MVP chant.GOD I HOPE THIS CATCHES ON!!!!

Jimmy is frustrated this year. Needs to keep quite. You can't chump the fans because we are the ones keeping guys like him in the big money. If no-one cared, no-one would watch and they would be playing for free in their spare time after working a real job.

Jeezus! Stop being so friggin sensitive! This is why i HATE sports talk radio in this town because it only helps to stoke the fires of this kind of crap! The guy had a poor choice of words.The part that people always leave out when they bring the interview up is when he said "you can't be no punk"That showed you that he wasn't being critical. He was trying to say that Philadelphia fans are tough which is what we are. I really hate the way certain talk show hosts have used this as fodder to get more than the usual 10 to 15 guys to call in their shows(yes wip i mean you). The idiots who call in to those shows call to hear themselves talk and they DO NOT represent the Philadelphia fan base. Jimmy Rollins is having a crappy season and he knows it,the fans know it and so does his team. He went on televison gave an interview and chose the wrong words. Get over it! the more we harp on it the worse WE look,not him. ESPN The magazine insulted us in their current issue and not ONE person said anything and what they said about us was 10 times worst than what Rollins said but yet i don't see anyone getting upset about that.